Bestherbs Herbal Coffee Recalled for Viagra-like Ingredient

Bestherbs Coffee LLC has announced the voluntary recall of all lots of New of Kopi Jantan Tradisional Natural Herbs Coffee because of the presence of an ingredient similar to Viagra.

A laboratory analysis by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirmed the presence of desmethyl carbodenafil, which is structurally similar to sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra. Viagra is an FDA-approved prescription drug for erectile dysfunction (ED).

In addition to the drug ingredient, New of Kopi Jantan Tradisional Natural Herbs Coffee (as spelled on the package) also contains undeclared milk.

National law firm Parker Waichman LLP is investigating illnesses and injuries related to drug ingredients and allergens in foods and dietary supplements. Attorneys at the firm can answer questions about possible lawsuits.

Drug Ingredients in Foods

According to the FDA, drug ingredients in the coffee may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs, such as nitroglycerin, and may lower blood pressure to dangerous levels. Men with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease often take nitrates. And people who are allergic to milk could suffer a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume the herbal coffee.

New of Kopi Jantan Tradisional Natural Herbs Coffee is an instant coffee, promoted as a male enhancement product. The coffee is packaged in 13-gram red packs, UPC 557205060083. Each box contains 25 packets of the herbal coffee.

Bestherbs Coffee, a Texas-based company, distributed the coffee from July 2014 through June 2016. The coffee was distributed nationwide to consumers via individuals or the internet. No illnesses have has been reported to date.

Bestherbs Coffee LLC is notifying customers of the recall by phone. Consumers who have New of Kopi Jantan Tradisional Natural Herbs Coffee should stop using the coffee and discard any remaining packets they have on hand or should return the product to Bestherbs Coffee for a refund.

2016 Warning About New of Kopi Jantan Herbal Coffee

The 2017 recall comes just less than a year year after the FDA warned the public against the use of Kopi Jantan Tradisional Natural Herbs Coffee after desmethyl carbodenafil was found in the product.

In the August 30, 2016 warning notice, the FDA noted a growing trend for manufacturers of conventional foods and dietary supplements to use undeclared drug or chemical ingredients in their products. “These products are typically promoted for sexual enhancement, weight loss, and body building and are often represented as being ‘all natural.’ FDA is unable to test and identify all products marketed as dietary supplements that have potentially harmful hidden ingredients.”

The FDA advises consumers to “exercise caution” before purchasing” products like this. The FDA warns consumers about sexual enhancement products that promise “rapid effects, such as working in minutes to hours, or long-lasting effects, such as working for 24 to 72 hours.” The agency also advises consumers to be aware of “extreme claims,” like “quick and effective,” “cure-all,” or “totally safe.” Consumers should be skeptical about anecdotal information like personal testimonials about incredible benefits or results.

Dietary supplements are widely used. Because the products contain herbs, minerals, or plant extracts, consumers mistakenly believe the products are safe. But ingredients in dietary supplements—even herbs and minerals—can interact with medications the supplement user is taking and can affect the medicine’s potency. The person may end up with either too little or too much of the medication in the bloodstream, according to the FDA. If a supplement contains a drug the user is already taking, the user is at risk for overdose. Dietary supplements with drug ingredients have been linked to serious health problems, including liver failure and kidney damage.

When a product contains ingredients not mentioned on the label, users can suffer allergic reactions or side effects from ingredients they have not been warned about. An added danger is that people often fail to tell their doctors about supplements or enhanced food products they use because they do not think of the products as possibly harmful.

The FDA does not have the authority or the ability to monitor every food product and supplement for safety. Food product labels must disclose the ingredients, especially possible allergens like milk, wheat, and nuts.

Legal Help for Users of New of Kopi Jantan Tradisional Natural Herbs Coffee

If you or someone you know has suffered an allergic reaction, drug interaction, or other side effects from drinking New of Kopi Jantan Tradisional Natural Herbs Coffee, the attorneys at Parker Waichman LLP are available to help. The firm can provide a free, no-obligation case evaluation. Contact Parker Waichman by filling out the online form or by calling 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529).